Former Zambian President Lungu sued for unpaid debt

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu sued Thursday for his alleged failure to pay a 336,000 Zambian Kwachas ($14,000) debt.

Lungu has been sued by Happy Mwangata, a resident of Lusaka, who said the former president did not pay him for campaign materials acquired in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.

According to a default writ of summons filed before a Magistrate court, Mwangata contends that efforts to have an audience with Lungu in the years since had proved futile, necessitating the court action.

Lungu won the 2016 elections and left power in 2021 when he lost the presidency to incumbent Hakainde Hichilema.

He announced his retirement soon after but resurfaced last year and is now part of a political consortium called United Kwacha Alliance (UKA).

It is speculated he could be the UKA’s candidate for the 2026 general election amid the likelihood of a legal challenge around his eligibility as questions were already raised about the matter in 2021.

Lungu did not immediately respond to the suit, with the court yet to take action.